VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

The VCU Flamenco Festival VII on March 23-25 will bring a group of leading flamenco artists to the Richmond community. The festival, presented by the Department of Music in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts, will include musical performances, dances and a flamenco guitar master class. Concerts will be held in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts, 922 Park Ave.

The schedule is as follows:

“Flamenco Soul,” Friday, March 23, 7:30 p.m. General admission: $15, VCU students free with ID

Featuring guitarist and VCU music alumna Leah Kruszewski, who now lives in Spain, and the Latin Ballet of Virginia performing in conjunction with award winners Francisco Mesa “El Nano” from Valencia, Spain, and Ana Ines King, a native of Colombia, who is the founder of the ballet. From the passionate fury of flamenco to tango’s forbidden heat, and from the elegance of classical ballet to the earthen power of modern dance, the Latin Ballet of Virginia uses flamenco, tango, classical ballet and modern dance to weave the tales and traditions at the heart of Hispanic culture.

“Master Class: Ricardo Marlow,” Saturday, March 24, 2 p.m. Free admission

Prior to an evening performance, flamenco guitarist Ricardo Marlow will conduct a class on the art of flamenco guitar in the James W. Black Music Center Recital Hall, 1015 Grove Ave. 

“Flamenco Virtuoso,” Saturday, March 24, 7:30 p.m. General admission: $15, VCU students free with ID

Marlow, known for his percussive style of playing and his ability to fuse flamenco with other musical genres, performs with dancer Sara Jerez.

“Flamenco Legend,” Sunday, March 25, 4 p.m. General admission: $15, VCU students free with ID

Spanish guitarist Torcuato Zamora, who began studying guitar at the age of 5 and has performed for the king and queen of Spain, performs with dancers Estela Vélez de Paredez andDaniel Paredez.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.showclix.com/events/1320.